Jack positioning mechanism



Q Y MW 23, WM W E. J. LE RY 2,045,016

JACK POSITIONING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 28, 1935 Patented June 23, 1936UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates generally to jack positioning devices, and moreparticularly to devices for properly positioning a jack beneath thechassis of an automobile.

The problem of properly positioning a jack beneath the chassis of anautomobile is one which has confronted the average motorist for manyyears. With the present-day jacks, which form standard equipment formotor cars, no

means is provided for properly positioning the jack beneath the car,with the exception of an elongated handle having a socket coupling atone end with the jack. This type of equipment in many instances provesvery unsatisfactory,

and this is particularly true in connection with motor cars of moderndesign, wherein skirted fenders are employed which render the areabeneath the car very inaccessible. Furthermore, irregularities of theroadbed make it difficult for the jack user to determine, by mereobservation, the proper position for the jack. In other words, the jackmight occupy one position at one time and another position at asubsequent time, depending entirely upon the condition of the groundsurface beneath the car. In fact, the only certain Way to insure properpositioning of a jack, with the present-day equipment, is for themotorist to crawl beneath the car.

It is one of the primary objects of my invention to overcome the abovementioned and. other disadvantages resulting from the use of presentdayjack equipment, and to this end I propose to provide means engageablewith the base of the jack and designed to accurately position the jackwith a minimum amount of effort and skill on the part of the user.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a device as generallyreferred to above, which not only serves to accurately position the jackproperly with respect to the car, but serves also to prevent the jackfrom accidentally tipping,

or, mother words, to insure the car from inadvertently slipping off thejack after it has been lifted.

A further object of the invention is to provide an increased area ofcontact between the jack and the surface of the ground, therebypermitting the use of the device on soft ground, mud, and the like,which otherwise might prevent the use of a conventional jack as it isnow supplied by motor car manufacturers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a jack positioningdevice as set forth above, having means for positively abutting thestruc- 5 ture of the car to thereby accurately position the 1 jack whenit is inserted either from the front or the rear of the car.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a shiftable jack supportor positioning means adapted to engage the bumper structure for the 6purpose of accurately locating or adjusting the jack with respect to thecar axle or the like underneath the car, where it cannot readily beobserved. In fact, the invention contemplates a jack positioning device,which makes it unnec- 10 essary for the user to look under the car whilegetting the range and subsequently setting the jack.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages will be moreapparent from the fol- 15 lowing detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is afragmentary side elevational view of the front end of an automobile inoperative 20 association with jack positioning equipment of the typecontemplated by the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the positioning device, thejack being indicated by dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along theline 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a similar transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the positioning device in its compactfolded position with the positioning bar removed from its socket; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal transverse sectional view of theabutment means on the 35 bumper, which cooperates with the upright barin properly locating the jack beneath the axle or the like of the car.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals havebeen employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures,it will be observed that one embodiment of my invention constitutes ajack positioning device which I have indicated generally by the numeralit. This device includes a pair of elongated members or boards l2 and 14connected through the agency of a suitable hinge [6. These members 12and 14 may be swung to the open position shown in Figures 1 and 2 toprovide, in effect, an elongated structure, one endof which 50 isadapted to be conveniently inserted beneath the forward or rear end ofan automobile, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. To secure the membersI2 and 14 against inadvertent movement about the axis of the hinge I6, Iprovide a finger I8 which may be shifted to the position shown in Figure2. When it is desired to'swing the members [2 and I4 to their compactfolded position, as shown in Figure 5, the finger I8 is first shiftedthrough approximately 90 to release said members.

The left extremity of the member l2, as viewed in Figures 1, 2, and 3,is provided with a jack receiving means 20. This jack receiving means 20may be of any design, which is adapted to receive the base of aconventional jack 22. In the embodiment shown herein for purposes ofillustration, the jack receiving means 20 constitutes a tln'ee-sidedreceiving member 24, which is open at one side to permit the jack to beinserted beneath the upper structure of the member 24, as clearlyillustrated in Figure 2. This jack'receiving means 20 may be fixedly oradjustably secured to the member [2 by any suitable meansfor example, byfastening means or screws 26. Furthermore, the jack receiving means maybe so arranged as to accommodate jack bases of varying sizes and shapeswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

After the jack 22 has been inserted within the receiving means 20, theopened members l2 and H are shifted longitudinally to move the jack intoposition beneath the element to be engaged by the jack screw. In orderto positively locate the jack properly beneath the desired point ofengagement, I provide an upright positioning bar or member 28, which isadjustably mounted at its lower end within a suitable socket carried byan adjustable clamping means 32. The bar 28 is preferably provided withabutment surfaces 34, which are angularly disposed so as to provide astructure of V-shaped cross section. These angularly disposed surfaces34 are adapted to engage a, complementary abutment 36 secured in a fixedposition to the structure of the car-for example, to the bumper 38 shownin Figures 1 and 6. The disclosed embodiment of the abutment 36constitutes a metallic strip bent into V- shaped form providing aV-shaped recess corresponding angularly in cross section with theincluded angle of the surfaces 34 of the positioning bar 28. Thisabutment 36 may be secured in position in any suitable manner such as bymeans of screws or rivets 40 (Figure 6).

The adjustable clamping means 32 is so spaced from the center of thejack 22 that, when the surfaces 34 engage the companion surfaces of theabutment 36, the jack will be properly positioned beneath the part to beengaged-for example, beneath the cross frame 42 indicated in Figure l.The bar 28, in addition to accurately locating the jack longitudinallyof the car, also accurately locates the jack transversely of the car.Thus, the abutment member 36 is so positioned on the bumper 38 that thejack 32 will be properly positioned laterally with respect to the caronly when the surfaces 34 of the bar are flush with the companionabutment surfaces of the member 36. In this manner the jack isaccurately positioned laterally, as well as longitudinally of the car.

A second clamping means 44, similar to the clamping means 32, isprovided, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2. This clamping means 44 may beused for properly positioning the jack with respect to the rear wheelsof the car. An abutment similar to 36 may be mounted on the rear bumperor on some other convenient part of the car. In other words, the bar 28may be associated with the socket 46 of the clamping means 44 toposition the jack with respect to the rear wheels in the same manner asjust described in connection with positioning the jack for the frontwheels. Obviously the clamping means 44 is also adjustable in the samemanner as the clamping means 32. The clamping means 32 is provided witha clamping screw 48, and the clamping means 44 is provided with asimilar screw 50, which screws may be loosened to permit the adjustmentof their respective clamping means along the member M.

This adjustment of the clamping means 32 and 44 obviously is ofconsiderable importance because it renders the positioning device I0adaptable for all sizes of cars. The owner of a car, after purchasingthe device In, need only make one setting of the clamping means 32 and45 to conform with the position of the abutment 36 and the desiredposition of engagement of the jack with the car, and from then on thejack may be placed beneath the car without the user making anyparticular observation in setting the jack. In other words, the rangeand setting of the jack may be accomplished by the user withoutobserving the area beneath the car, and this, of course, is of greatconvenience. After the use of the jack has been dispensed with, the bar28 may be detached and the members [2 and I4 folded together into theposition shown in Figure 5, and conveniently held in this position bymeans of a suitable clamping member or rod 54, which is designed tointerlock with a block 56, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The rod 54 alsoserves as a convenient handle in moving the free end of the member 12beneath the car.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my invention contemplates apositioning device of simple and practical construction, which serves toeffectively expedite the location of a jack beneath the car. I prefer toconstruct the members l2 and I4 of sufficient width to make asubstantial surface contact with the ground, and thus facilitate thepositioning of the jack on soft or muddy soil, and to thus provide afirm support for the jack. It frequently happens that a blow-out orpuncture occurs upon the open highway, requiring the motorist toimmediately turn off the main highway or pavement. A soft or uneven soilrenders the use of a conventional jack practically impossible withoutproviding additional support therefor. Advancing the car to a pointwhere the surface conditions are more suitable for positioning the jackmight be impossible without tearing the inner tube. My invention enablesthe car to be jacked up at any location regardless of the condition ofthe road bed or ground surface. In eliminating the necessity of crawlingbeneath the car to position the jack, the hazards of a busy highway areavoided. In other words, the jack may be positioned beneath the car andoperated without obstructing the user's view of the highway in eitherdirection.

Furthermore, by having the jack positioned accurately beneath thesurface which is to be engaged thereby, the elevation of the car willtake place without the inherent danger of the car slipping from the jackor the jack tilting due to inadequacies of the under-support. Obviously,the invention is not limited to the particular construction disclosed,but is capable of numerous other modifications and changes withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth inthe appended claims-for example, while I prefer in some instances toconstruct the members I2 and I4 of wood or similar material, otherstructural designs may be employed to meet the particular needs incidentto the use of the device. Likewise, the other elements cooperating toform an embodiment of the invention may be changed in design withoutdeparting from the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath'the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, and means associated with said elongated means forengaging the structure of the vehicle to insure the proper positioning,with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried by said receiving means.

2. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, and means detachably associated with said elongatedmeans for engaging the structure of the vehicle to insure the properpositioning, with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried by saidreceiving means.

3. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, and an upright member associated with saidelongated means for engaging the structure of the vehicle to insure theproper positioning, with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried bysaid receiving means.

4. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, and adjustable means associated with said elongatedmeans ifor engaging the structure of the vehicle to insure the properpositioning, with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried by saidreceiving means.

5. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, means associated with said elongated means forengaging the structure of the vehicle to insure the proper positioning,with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried by said receiving means,and means for adjusting the distance between said jack-receiving meansand said means for engaging the vehicle structure.

6. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack-receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, and means associated with said elongated means andhaving a plurality of abutment surfaces for engaging the structure ofthe vehicle to insure the proper positioning, with respect to thevehicle, of a jack carried by said receiving means.

'7. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, and means associated with said elongated means forengaging the structure of the vehicle to insure the proper positioning,both longitudinally and laterally with respect to the vehicle, of a jackcarried by said receiving means.

8. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated foldable means havingone extremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of avehicle when said elongated means is unfolded, jack receiving meanscarried by said elongated means and shiftable therewith as a unit,

and means associated with said elongated means for engaging thestructure of the vehicle to insure the proper positioning, with respectto the vehicle, of a jack carried by said receiving means.

9. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a vehicle,jack receiving means carried by said elongated means and shiftabletherewith as a unit, abutment means attachable to the structure of avehicle, and means associated with said elongated means for engagingsaid abutment means with the structure of the vehicle to insure theproper positioning, with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried bysaid receiving means.

10. Jack positioning mechanism including elongated means having oneextremity adapted to be positioned beneath the structure of a ve=-hicle, jack receiving means carried by said elongated means andshiftable therewith as a unit, abutment means attachable to thestructure of a vehicle, said abutment means having angularly disposedabutment surfaces, and means associated with said elongated means havingcomplementary angularly disposed surfaces for engaging said abutmentmeans with the structure of the vehicle to insure the properpositioning,

with respect to the vehicle, of a jack carried by said receiving means.

. EDWARD J. LEARY.

